Herbert Smith Freehills and King & Wood Mallesons have the lead roles on a $1.5 billion project to build a rail freight terminal in Sydney.

On June 3, through state-owned Moorebank Intermodal Co., the Australian federal government agreed to contract the development and operation of the country's first automated rail freight terminal to Sydney-based logistics company Qube Holdings Ltd. and Brisbane-based rail freight company Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

The project, which will have an annual capacity of 1.1 million containers and associated warehouses, is expected to handle more cargo via rail and thus provide relief to road congestion in Sydney caused by truck transport. Operations are expected to start by late 2017.